Modular pool

ABSTRACT

An above-ground modular pool which is unsupported by an embankment has a plurality of interconnected and inflatable water-exposed units entirely made of reinforced composite polymeric material, and a plurality of floor panels each of which is connected to one or more of the water-exposed units, such that each of the plurality of water-exposed units is of sufficient structural strength to withstand the hydraulic pressure applied thereto by a body of water received in the pool.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of water reservoirs. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a structurally strong, compositeand inflatable modular pool that can be economically and speedilyassembled.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many modular swimming pools are known from the prior art, including WO2016/092099, CN 204435975, WO 2014/099628, US 2005/0086732, U.S. Pat.No. 5,652,972 and GB2261164. These prior art pools, which have acircular or polygonal configuration, either comprise combinableprefabricated sections or dedicated construction elements forstrengthening the modular elements, and therefore occupy a sizablevolume when being stored and generally require a time consuming assemblyoperation.

It would be desirable to provide an inflatable modular swimming poolthat can be compactly stored and speedily assembled to define acustomized water volume received therewithin. However, the structuralstrength of a prior art inflatable pool is low, and therefore the priorart inflatable pool can safely receive only a limited volume of water,generally limited to a water depth of 1.5 m. Even at a water depth of1.5 m, the prior art modular elements become deformed, such as curvingor bulging outwardly. The deformation of a prior art inflatable pool isprone to a structural failure, which would be life threatening tobathers located within the pool at the time of the structural failure.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an inflatable andstructurally strong modular pool that can define customized dimensions.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent asthe description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an above-ground modular pool which isunsupported by an embankment, comprising a plurality of interconnectedand inflatable water-exposed units entirely made of reinforced compositepolymeric material, and a plurality of floor panels each of which isconnected to one or more of said water-exposed units, such that each ofsaid plurality of water-exposed units is of sufficient structuralstrength to withstand the hydraulic pressure applied thereto by a bodyof water received in said pool.

Each of the water-exposed units preferably comprises an airtightsection.

In one embodiment, the airtight section comprises a plurality ofinflatable cells integrated in a membrane, said airtight section adaptedto substantially evenly distribute pressure of air inflated therewithin.

In one aspect, each of the water-exposed units further comprises anenergy-absorbing section that is connected to the airtight section andthat is exposed to waves propagating in the body of water or tohydraulic pressure of the body of water.

In one embodiment, the airtight section is a hollow segment of apressure-equalizing member. The hollow segment has a main bodyconfigured with an open proximal end and a closed distal end with theexception of an opening within which is fitted with a unidirectionalflow control device that is adapted to open when exposed to apredetermined triggering pressure level within a segment interior, aninitial air pressure within said segment interior being retainable uponconnection of said main body to the main body of an additional hollowsegment adjacent thereto and pressurized air developed within saidsegment interior being dischargeable to an interior of said additionalsegment.

In one aspect, each of the water-exposed units comprises one or morereleasable connectors by which adjacent water-exposed units areconnectable together.

In one aspect, a sufficient number of water-exposed units may beserially and horizontally connected together to define an Olympic-sizedswimming pool.

In one aspect, a sufficient number of water-exposed units are verticallyconnected together to define a pool having a depth of at least 2 m, forexample a water depth of up to 10 m.

It will be appreciated that the pool length is not limited at all, andcan assume a length of 500 m, or more.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective, partially sectional view of an assembled pool,according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the pool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section at a slight perspective view through awater-exposed unit used in conjunction with the pool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the side of the water-exposed unit ofFIG. 3, shown without the honeycomb-like section;

FIG. 5 is a perspective from the top of an assembled rectilinear pool,according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective from the top of a portion of a rectilinear pool,according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view from the side of a vertical section throughthe peripheral wall and overflow pool of the pool of FIG. 6, when viewedfrom the interior of the pool;

FIG. 8 is a perspective from the top of a portion of a circular pool;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view from the side of a vertical section throughthe peripheral wall and overflow pool of the pool of FIG. 8, when viewedfrom the interior of the pool;

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates the structure of two interconnectedand independently movable segments of a pressure-equalizing tubularmember from above;

FIG. 11 schematically illustrates from above a plurality of the segmentsof FIG. 10, showing a portion of a pressure-equalizing tubular memberthat they define; and

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of a pool according to anotherembodiment of the invention along a plane intersecting both an inner andouter side thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an inflatable and structurally strongabove-ground modular pool. Although the accompanying drawings illustratea swimming pool, it will be appreciated that the invention is similarlyapplicable to any other type of pool or liquid reservoir including, butnot limited to, a pond, a fire sprinkler reservoir, and a watertreatment reservoir.

The costs for constructing a prior art water reservoir are considerable,and generally include metallic or concrete support elements that oftenrequire experienced workers for fabrication and assembly, and generallyalso the costs for constructing an earthen embankment around thereservoir.

The modular pool of the present invention obviates these costs by theuse of inflatable units entirely made of reinforced composite polymericmaterial, such as polyurethane and PVC. As the pool lacks metallic orconcrete support elements, maintenance costs are also reduced, andlongevity is significantly increased. All is needed to construct thepool is the interconnection of adjacent units such as by releasableconnectors to define a continuous wall of customized shape anddimensions, the inflation of the units, and the deployment of acontinuous water contacting liner interfacing with all of the units.

The Applicant is unaware of any inflatable modular pool made entirely ofreinforced composite polymeric material that is of sufficient structuralstrength to withstand the hydraulic pressure applied thereto by theliquid received in a pool having a water depth of at least 2 m withouthaving to be supported from the outside by an earthen embankment, forexample an Olympic-size swimming pool, or even a depth of up to 10 m.

When it is desired to change the dimensions of the pool after the waterhas been discharged, one or more connectors are released and a desirednumber of units are added and connected to the existing structure, andthen a customized interfacing liner is deployed. The releasableconnectors may be used not only to connect together adjacent lengthwiseor widthwise inflatable units in order customize the surface area of thepool, but also to connect together vertically adjacent inflatable unitsin order to customize the depth of the liquid contained within the pool.

Even though each unit is inflatable, the rigidity of a wall comprisingone or more units is surprisingly high and similar to that of concrete,to assist a swimmer upon contacting the wall with one's foot, forexample a swimmer desiring to change a swimming direction or abackstroke swimmer at the start of a swimming action.

The components of the pool may be compactly stored following separationand deflation of each of the units.

The reinforced composite polymeric material may be made, in oneembodiment, from a drop stitch fabric matrix. Drop stitch fabricmatrices are produced by weaving yarns, such as polyester, Kevlar andother polymeric fibers, between two or more fabric sheet layers, such asmade of PVC, which are spaced a specific distance apart from oneanother. A typical drop stitch fabric matrix may include a large number,e.g. on the order of thousands, of vertical fibers of uniform length.

The yarns may be woven in a straight line along the continuous directionaxis so as to be in line with the warp yarns. After being pulled thougha fabric layer, they may be wrapped over and under multiple weft yarnsfollowing next to the adjacent warp yarn in the pattern. The drop stitchyarns may be patterned to form evenly spaced rows. In this fashion, theyarns are ensured of not unraveling, while the matrix has a density forexample of at least 50 threads per square inch and a thickness rangingfrom 2-30 inches. Once the matrix is woven together, an airtight coatingor laminate is bonded to the fabric sheet layers. The drop stitch fabricmatrix is thus, when inflated to a relatively high pressure, impartedwith good resistance to flexing.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective, partially sectional view of anassembled pool 10, according to one embodiment of the present invention.Pool 10 comprises a plurality of interconnected and inflatablerectilinear water-exposed units, e.g. units 5 a-i, a plurality ofinterconnected deck members, e.g. members 7 a-i, which may beinterconnected to a corresponding water-exposed unit, a plurality offloor panels 3 connected to one or more water-exposed units, and aplurality of compressors 9 for inflating corresponding water-exposedunits via corresponding conduits 8. Pool 10 may also comprise anchorelements that facilitate stabilization on loose underlying supportmaterial, such as earth or sand.

Adjacent water-exposed units may be releasably connected to each other.An exemplary releasable connector is the Dual Lock™ fastenermanufactured by 3M™, which comprises a mushroom-shaped stem that audiblysnaps together to form a secure attachment with an adjacent piece. Boththe stem and the adjacent piece may be adhered to a substrate ofadjacent inflatable units.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of pool 10, showing a plurality offloor panels, e.g. floor panels 3 a-e.

Water is advantageously added to pool 10 from below the floor panels inaccordance with international standards, for example Israeli Standard6701 enacted in August, 2008.

Each of the floor panels may be configured with a plurality of spacedsmall-diameter apertures 27 (FIG. 5), which are formed throughout thefloor panel material, generally having a thickness ranging from 4-10 cm.A nozzle from which is issued a high-pressure spray is fitted at thebottom of a corresponding aperture, so as not to injure a bather whenthe pool constitutes a swimming pool. A conduit extends horizontallyfrom each nozzle to a pump.

An exemplary structure of a water-exposed unit 5 is illustrated in FIG.3. Unit 5 comprises an inflatable and airtight, honeycomb-like section11 comprising a plurality of cells 12 integrated in a membrane forenhanced structural strength when inflated. Each cell 12 may beinterconnected with one or more adjacent cells as shown, oralternatively may be isolated from an adjacent cell as shown in FIG. 1.This cellular configuration serves to evenly distribute the highpressure of the inflated air. Section 11 may be bounded at one or moresurfaces thereof by a reinforcing plate. Tests conducted by theApplicant revealed that the strength of each section 11 is as much as700 kg/m², and may be as great as 1000-1500 kg/m².

Internally to section 11, i.e. in the direction of the water, is locatedenergy-absorbing section 15 for dampening the wave energy of any wavesthat propagate through the body of water located within the pool.Energy-absorbing section 15 comprises one or more tubular elements 16integrated to a lower water liner 17 that is softer than the reinforcingplate of section 11 and that is exposed to low-amplitude waves or tohydraulic pressure. Liner 17 is connected to, or integrally formed withan upper L-shaped dissipating element 19. The spacing between the twolegs of L-shaped dissipating element 19 provides sufficient resiliencythat causes the spacing between the two legs to become reduced when theforce of a wave is applied to dissipating element 19 or is transmittedthrough water liner 17, and to thereby dissipate the wave energy.

As shown in FIG. 4, a reinforcing plate 13 of section 11 may beconfigured with a plurality of ports 14 through which the inflation airflows into the various cells.

The configuration of the honeycomb-like section and of each layerthereof is preferably changed in response to the selected use, forexample the dimensions of the pool and whether the inflatable unit isconnected vertically or horizontally to an adjacent unit.

EXAMPLE 1

The honeycomb-like section of an inflatable unit was made of 11 layershaving a net thickness of 20 cm. The outermost and innermost layers wereboth made of 5-mm thick anti-skid pads made of ethylene-vinyl acetate(EVA) foam having a density of 20-190 kg/m³. Adjacent to each anti-skidpad was a set of 3 layers made of PVC material, with a combinedthickness of 0.6-1.2 mm. Adjacent to a first PVC layer was acorresponding base PVC fabric having a thickness of 1.2 mm and made ofPVC yarns and yarns of other materials. A plurality of polyesterfilaments extending between the two base PVC fabrics to define the cellshad a length ranging from 5-20 cm, and the spacing between adjacentfilaments ranged from 2-10 mm.

The honeycomb-like section was inflated to a pressure of 9-12 psia andhas a tensile strength of 80-150 kg/cm.

FIGS. 5-10 illustrate another embodiment of the invention wherein themodular pool comprises an airtight, pressure-equalizing tubular memberthat provides each of its walls with sufficient structural strength towithstand the hydraulic pressure associated with a body of water havinga depth of at least 2 m. The tubular member is fabricated from aplurality of interconnected and independently movable airtight segmentsthat impart the pool with modularity. One or more segments locallydeform after being subjected to the energy associated with an impact tothe wall of the pool, causing their interior pressure to temporarilyrise. The higher-pressure air is discharged to an adjacent segment untilall segments attain a uniform pressure and a uniform shape.

An assembled rectilinear pool 20 is illustrated in FIG. 5. Pool 20comprises floor panel 22, an inner liner 24 connected to, and projectingupwardly from the periphery of floor panel 22 to define the dimensionsof the pool, a peripheral wall 26 spaced outwardly from, and havingsimilar dimensions as, liner 24, and a plurality of overflow tanks 29,e.g. four, which are positioned outwardly from peripheral wall 26. Liner24 interfaces with all water-exposed segment units that are disposed ata given side of the pool.

Floor panel 22 may be made of a single panel as shown, or alternativelymay be made of a plurality of interconnected panels as shown in FIG. 2.Each of the floor panels may be inflatable, or alternatively may benon-inflatable, and configured with small-diameter apertures 27 tofacilitate water inflow from below.

Peripheral wall 26, which is also connected to floor panel 22, protrudesupwardly from the upper edge 23 of liner 24. An aperture 32 throughwhich water overflowing the liner 24 is discharged to a correspondingoverflow tank 29 is formed at selected regions of an upper section 34 ofperipheral wall 26. Aperture 32 may also be formed to a certain extentin lower section 36 of peripheral wall 26, which is an outer lineradapted to conceal and to be connected to a pressure equalizing tubularmember located between liner 24 and peripheral wall 26. The longitudinalaxis of the tubular member is substantially parallel to liner 24.

The rectilinear pool 30 illustrated in FIG. 6 is configured with anoverflow pool 39 that is contiguous with, and spaced outwardly from, theentire peripheral wall 36. Overflow pool 39 is made of material that iscontinuous with the outer liner of peripheral wall 36 and connected to atubular member 47 defining the depth of water within overflow pool 39,for example having a diameter of 0.5 m. Tubular member 472 may be apressure equalizing segmented member.

As shown in FIG. 7, peripheral wall 36, as well as each interconnectablewater-exposed unit defining the peripheral wall, comprises a segment ofeach of two contiguous and connected tubular pressure-equalizing tubularmembers 41 and 42, member 42 being located directly below member 41.Each of tubular members 41 and 42 may be defined by a considerablylarger diameter than tubular member 42, e.g. 1 m, to define acorrespondingly large peripheral wall height, for example one that issuitable to retain a body of water having a depth of 2 m. A stabilizingelement 37 having a triangular cross section is connected to the twotubular members 41 and 42, such that its apex is positioned proximate tothe longitudinal interconnection region 35 between members 41 and 42 andits long side is connected to inner liner 34. Another similarly shapedstabilizing element 38 is connected to outer liner 31. Liners 31 and 34are also made of composite materials, although they generally have adifferent construction than the tubular members.

It will be appreciated that the peripheral wall may be defined by morethan two vertically spaced tubular elements to increase its height.

Peripheral wall 36 may be configured with an integrated step forsupporting a swimmer who is desirous of resting. The upper surface ofthe step is preferably located 1.2 m below the water surface inaccordance with safety standards. A wall of prior art inflatable poolsheretofore has been unable to be provided with a step capable ofsupporting a swimmer.

The step may be made of an inflatable rectilinear block 44 of limitedlength which is connected to the side of a corresponding tubular membersegment. Block 44 is made of suitable construction that supportsinflation to a sufficiently high pressure that provides rigidity similarto, or even greater than, lower tubular member 42. The upper surface ofblock 44 is connected to, and covered by, outer liner 31. Adjacentblocks 44 may be connected to each other.

It will be appreciated that pool 10 of FIG. 1 may also be configuredwith an integrated step for supporting a swimmer who is desirous ofresting.

The circular pool 50 illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 is configured with anoverflow pool 59 that is contiguous with, and spaced outwardly from, theentire peripheral wall 56. As circular peripheral wall 56 is configuredwith only one tubular member 52, pool 50 may be used as a wading pooldue to the limited depth of the body of water that is able to becollected within the volume delimited by tubular member 52. Tubularmember 52 is concentric to outer tubular member 58, which is of asmaller diameter than tubular member 52 and to which materialconstituting overflow pool 59 and continuous with outer liner 57 isconnected.

FIGS. 10 and 11 schematically illustrate a plurality of interconnectedand independently movable segments defining circular pressure-equalizingtubular member 52, in order to demonstrate the principles of thisembodiment of the invention.

Each of the plurality of segments, for example the illustrated segments53 a and 53 b, is made of a composite-material membrane and isconfigured with a conical shape. The conical configuration ischaracterized by a tubular main body 61 that narrows at its distal tip63 to a small-diameter opening to which air within the segment interior64 is urged to flow. A one-way valve 67 is fitted in the opening toallow only unidirectional flow of pressurized air when exposed to apredetermined triggering pressure level.

Main body 61 of segment 53 b is carefully positioned and connected withrespect to main body 61 of segment 53 a to define a suitable angularrelation therebetween that produces the circular configuration oftubular member 52. Main body 61 may also have a flexible intermediateelement 65 that helps the segment to conform to a desired shape.

The interior 64 of segment 53 b is converted to a pressure vessel whenthe proximal end 68 of its main body 61 is connected by hermeticallysealed and pressure resistant connection 62 to distal end 69 of the mainbody 61 of segment 53 a, or to any other suitable region thereof. Thispressure vessel arrangement ensures that the initial pressure achievedby interior 64 after rigidizing-facilitating inflation air is introducedthrough an air valve of tubular member 52 will be subsequently retained,yet allows pressurized air developed within the interior 64 of segment53 b to be discharged to the interior of segment 53 a. The presence ofconnection 62 and one-way valve 67 prevents any backflow of pressurizedair into segment 53 b. Likewise the same type of interconnection existsfor other pairs of adjacent segments.

Thus when segment 53 b becomes impacted, its interior pressuretemporarily rises above the initial pressure, for example due to areduced volume of interior 64. One-way valve 67 is consequently opened,allowing pressurized air to be discharged from segment 53 b to segment53 a until the pressure within the interior of segment 53 b is reducedbelow the predetermined triggering pressure level. Since the pressurewithin segment 53 a is consequently increased, pressurized air will bedischarged from segment 53 a to the segment adjacent thereto, andlikewise pressurized air will be serially discharged to all segments ofcircular tubular member 52 until the pressure within each segmentinterior becomes equalized.

This same pressure-equalizing response occurs also in tubular members 41and 42 of FIG. 7.

A pressure-equalizing member may also be fabricated from a plurality ofinterconnected hollow segments of a different shape, although theconical shape has some advantages in terms of ease in manufacturing.

All connections described herein may be welded connections effected inconjunction with a first composite-material sheet placed injuxtaposition with a second composite-material sheet to produce a seamor other reinforcement means therebetween. The welded connection may bereleased by a suitable application of heat or by other means well knownto those skilled in the art, to allow the dimensions of the pool to bechanged. Alternatively, adjacent segments may be releasably connected byother means such as by hook and loop fasteners.

FIG. 12 illustrates a pool 70 constructed with a plurality of dropstitch fabric matrices 71-75, for reinforcing pressure-equalizing member79, such as illustrated on both an inner and outer side ofpressure-equalizing member 79.

It will be appreciated that the number and location of the drop stitchfabric matrices can be varied, depending on the size of the pool and onthe magnitude of the applied hydraulic pressure. Also, a matrix need notbe uniformly positioned at a given segment of the pool, but rather maybe localized at a given position desired to increase reinforcementthereat.

EXAMPLE 2

A tubular pressure-equalizing member having a diameter of 0.8 m wasfabricated from a plurality of interconnected conical segments made ofPVC, and had a strength of 1.6-1.7 t/m².

While some embodiments of the invention have been described by way ofillustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be carried outwith many modifications, variations and adaptations, and with the use ofnumerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are within the scopeof persons skilled in the art, without exceeding the scope of theclaims.

1. An above-ground modular pool which is unsupported by an embankment,comprising a plurality of interconnected and inflatable water-exposedunits entirely made of reinforced composite polymeric material, and aplurality of floor panels each of which is connected to one or more ofsaid water-exposed units, such that each of said plurality ofwater-exposed units is of sufficient structural strength to withstandthe hydraulic pressure applied thereto by a body of water received insaid pool.
 2. The modular pool according to claim 1, wherein each of thewater-exposed units comprises an airtight section.
 3. The modular poolaccording to claim 2, wherein the airtight section comprises a pluralityof inflatable cells integrated in a membrane, the airtight sectionadapted to substantially evenly distribute pressure of air inflatedtherewithin.
 4. The modular pool according to claim 3, wherein each ofthe water-exposed units further comprises an energy-absorbing sectionthat is connected to the airtight section and that is exposed to wavespropagating in the body of water or to hydraulic pressure of the body ofwater.
 5. The modular pool according to claim 2, wherein the airtightsection is a hollow segment of a pressure-equalizing member.
 6. Themodular pool according to claim 5, wherein the hollow segment has a mainbody configured with an open proximal end and a closed distal end withthe exception of an opening within which is fitted with a unidirectionalflow control device that is adapted to open when exposed to apredetermined triggering pressure level within a segment interior, aninitial air pressure within said segment interior being retainable uponconnection of said main body to the main body of an additional hollowsegment adjacent thereto and pressurized air developed within saidsegment interior being dischargeable to an interior of said additionalsegment.
 7. The modular pool according to claim 1, wherein each of thewater-exposed units comprises one or more releasable connectors by whichadjacent water-exposed units are connectable together.
 8. The modularpool according to claim 7, wherein a sufficient number of water-exposedunits are serially and horizontally connected together to define anOlympic-sized swimming pool.
 9. The modular pool according to claim 7,wherein a sufficient number of water-exposed units are verticallyconnected together to define a pool having a water depth of at least 2m.
 10. The modular pool according to claim 9, wherein a sufficientnumber of water-exposed units are vertically connected together todefine a pool having a water depth of up to 10 m.